Four Things (1)

Mina's POV

It was the day of Eren's trial. People continue to talk about using him to retake Wall Maria, prompting Sir Moblit to drag me away from the street forcibly. It's a precaution, he says, after noticing the irritable look that I gave to the citizens. I understand that they're afraid and mostly useless, but they can't just call him their savior, considering that a lot of soldiers had died that day.

I mean, he IS technically our savior, but the Garrison and the Survey Corps also did their job! Making Eren the center figure of saving humanity is exactly the reason why he had to sacrifice himself in the first place.

And I fucking hate that!

Those fucking dependent assho-

"You wear your uniform so proudly, Mina." Sir Moblit casually spoke beside me as we continued to walk towards the building where the trial would take place. "I hope you weren't forced to enlist in the Survey Corps after speaking with the commander yesterday."

I shrugged my shoulders and gladly took part in this small talk. "They hadn't forced me or anything. If they were to prohibit me from enlisting, I would have begged either way."

"Begged, huh." He whistled. "A true soldier at heart, I'll give you credit for that." 

"Thanks, Sir Berner." 

"Please, Moblit is fine. Having a polite and fearless soldier like you a part of our squad is something I'll forever be thankful for." I just had to smile after hearing those words about me. Sir Moblit holds me in high regard, huh? "And thanks to you, I had a decent amount of sleep yesterday."

I openly expressed my amusement, making him chuckle as well. "Anytime, Sir- I mean," Noticing the look he gave me, I coughed before continuing. "Moblit. Besides, I enjoyed listening to Squad Leader Hange talk till dawn."

"That makes you weird as well." 

I lifted my chin and proudly smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment." 

Wearing my new uniform with the Wings of Liberty plastered on my back brings me both joy and a sense of accomplishment. Who knew that performing an emergency wake-up call to Eren would land me a spot in the very place I was gunning for? 

Being a part of Hange Zoe's squad during my time here at Paradis is a huge accomplishment for me. It brings me closer to my ultimate goal: finding an object here at Paradis that may be linked to Marley.

Overall, my plan here in Paradis consists of four things. The first one is to make sure that Eren and Mikasa are safe, and the second is to join the squad that Hange Zoe is leading. By doing so, my voice and ideas can safely reach her ears and will eventually go up even higher to the Commander. It could potentially lessen the death toll of the soldiers and may quicken the process of them finding out what the Titans are in the first place. 

And that leads to my third goal: to keep Erwin Smith alive. 

I'm not exactly sure if finding out the true identity of the Titans will motivate him not to die. I mean, in the second world, all he wanted to see were the contents found in the basement of Eren's house. He wasn't being too greedy, which completely irritated me upon learning about his death. 

Keeping Commander Erwin alive will change the future massively. He's the sort of person to do so. I'm not exactly saying that Armin isn't that good of a commander. It's just… Erwin Smith is the real deal. And more than those reasons…

It can lessen the burden of the future, Levi Ackerman. 

Yeah… maybe I just wanted to keep him alive for the sake of Captain Levi's sanity. They're friends, are they not? Keeping his friend alive is the least I can do to make him feel accomplished and joyful in the future. 

As for my last goal, my target only consists of one organization: The Order of the Walls. 

Goodness, just thinking about it makes me want to blow up their whole place.

So, to summarize, due to luck, my second goal has been achieved. For the first, however, their safety will be prioritized once the expedition finishes and if humanity finally sees Eren Yeager's true potential. As for the third, I would need to accomplish three things before I even see a way out of his death. Lastly, my fourth goal would eventually start once a part of the wall has been destroyed, revealing a massive titan eye.

"Mina?" Moblit's voice interrupted my thoughts as he hunched over my small frame. "Are you all right? You were about to trip."

"Trip?" I looked down and coincidentally saw a huge rock. "Why is there a rock in the middle of a road?" 

Moblit laughed before completely removing the said obstacle from my path. "Focus on the task at hand, Mina. What were you thinking about?"

"Huh? Ah, well…" I blinked once before noticing the rumble on my belly. "Lunch, I suppose." 

My superior stared at me for a few seconds before finally chuckling. I know, deep inside, that my ears must have turned red from embarrassment. Why do I always mess up in front of this man? It's cruel!

Upon reaching the Military Tribunal Court, the place where Eren was initially locked up and is now being held on trial, Moblit and I paved our way through the soldiers to reach our destination. My first task was simple: accompany the Squad Leader in her endeavors for this day. It's a new experience for me, quite different from my previous one, so it makes me a bit giddy. 

Sadly, we can't listen to the trial itself, but I knew that Eren would be given to the Survey Corps. So, there's nothing for me to be worried about. 

I hope.

"Are you not called in to be a witness?" Moblit once again captured my whole attention as his eyes darted to the slacking soldiers on the corner. 

I, too, thought about that question earlier this morning. However, after getting enlisted in the Survey Corps, my voice may shift in favor of the said side. "I should have, but they thought that I'd become biased towards my chosen side, which I probably would have done. So," Moblit continues to chuckle in amusement at my situation, earning me a smile. "Yeah. Besides, they already have Mikasa and Armin. I'm sure everything will be all right." 

"An optimist, how rare."

I sighed. "No, I'm not an optimist. It's just… a hunch. For humanity's sake, Eren must be placed under the guidance of the Survey Corps." 

Even if they intend to use him, the very act that I despise, it's something that has to be done. 

"We'll wait here." Moblit halted in his steps and stood in front of a certain room. With no instructions given, I also stood beside him. "This will be a long wait."

What he said was true. We waited for hours until the sun started to set before five figures even began to walk where we stood. I can vaguely see from the distance a small and tall figure walking side by side. It's Commander Erwin and Captain Levi.

Behind them, however, were three figures. The first was Hange Zoe, and the second was a man who… loves smelling people? I think he died early as well because I can't seem to remember his name. And lastly is the man I've been worrying about for a few decent numbers of days.

Eren looked up and saw my gaze towards him, his eyes glimmering upon contact. "Mina!" 

"Oh? I didn't expect you two to be this close." Hange stares at us in wonder as I quickly observe his bruised body. Who would even dare to-

"We're friends." With no hesitation, he replied. The rage that was about to burst out within me quickly evaporated, making me stand tall and proud. "W-wait, you're wearing the Survey Corps uniform?!" 

"A lot has happened, Eren." I gave him a brief smile before turning it back to being neutral. "Now let me properly do my job, and don't talk to me. See you later."

And finally, with one last look from him, they entered the room we were guarding. 

"Friends, huh?" Moblit glanced at me before turning back to look at the wall. 

There was no way I could miss the tone in his voice. So, as quickly as I could, I clarified, "Just friends, Moblit. I have no interest in things such as romance." 

"You live a dull life." 

I laughed as different images of gruesome scenarios quickly passed through my head. "Living in a world full of titans doesn't dull my life." 

My life is far from it, so very far. Dullness is something I couldn't afford, even if I wanted to.

***

Being a part of Squad Four is a high accomplishment. However, even if I had just achieved one of my goals, the next scenario is something that I must thoroughly prepare. 

An expedition, one where the Female Titan has first shown herself. 

It'll be a month from now, and I barely have any time to create a plan of action. What a hassle! 

"Mina? Are you here?" Captain Hange's face eventually showed itself outside the open door, smiling upon seeing my hunched figure reading through a stack of papers. "What are you doing?" 

"Ah," I held a certain paper from the table and responded. "I was reading through your reports. Captain Hange, you wrote a lot of interesting details about the Titans. It's both knowledgeable and fun to read! Oh, and I also learned about the information you've gathered from Ilse Langnar's notebook. 'Subject of Ymir'… huh. Interesting."

Her expression instantly turned joyful upon hearing the compliments that I sincerely spoke of. "It's interesting, right?! Did Moblit give that to you? I'm even more impressed that you're reading through it." 

I smiled before deciding to clean the table up, stacking the papers as neatly as Moblit had given them to me. "It's vital to learn about our enemies if we were to conduct an expedition in their territory. That's why every observation and analysis made is priceless and valuable information to humanity. They should be thankful to you, captain." 

"Oh, gosh, you're making me blush!" Then she laughed, making me chuckle as a response. 

"Why were you looking for me, captain?"

She grinned, one that I have learned contains a hidden agenda within. "I was already planning for Moblit to come with me, but adding one more of my members wouldn't hurt."

Huh? I frowned. "What do you mean?" 

"Just come with us, and you'll see!" 

"Squad Leader Hange!" Then came Moblit, gasping for air like he had just run for a few kilometers. "I was looking for you!" 

"Oh, Moblit, come in, come in. Have a seat." She ushered him to sit on the chair she had just pulled, to which Moblit politely refused. 

"No, thank you, it's just, what is this?" Then, from who knows where, he lifted a sandwich, one that visibly showed that it had received only one bite. 

Captain Hange tilted her head in confusion. "The sandwich you gave me. Why?"

"You've barely eaten it!" 

"…"

Oh.

I chuckled, earning a glare from the mother hen. 

"By the way, captain," After getting the attention of both my superiors, I grinned before giving her a blueprint I'd drafted in my spare time. "I drew something you might like. Can you check it later?" 

The curious captain tilted her head and began to unwrap the said paper. "What is it? Now I'm getting curious-"

"…"

"?!"

With a chuckle, I leaned over the table to see both of their bewildered expressions. "A new weapon."

If I want change to happen, then taking advantage of my position this early in the game is a must.

***